ABSTRACT

Surfactant administration is usually performed by endotracheal intubation under mechanical ventilation. Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) technique has became widespread in recent years, in order to prevent the risk of barotrauma and volutrauma caused by mechanical ventilation and intubation. The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the effectiveness of surfactant administration via a thin catheter during spontaneous breathing on NIPPV and to compare with INSURE method.

Seventy-eight preterm infants who were born at university hospital with less than 34 weeks of gestational age and who received surfactant therapy were enrolled. The intratracheal administration of poractant alfa (CUROSURF^®) was performed using umbilical catheters in LISA group (n= 42). INSURE group had 36 infants who were intubated, received surfactant then extubated and placed on NIPPV.

There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in terms of intubation in the first 72 hours and re-administration of surfactant, the duration of NIPPV and the occurence of pneumothorax, pulmonary hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, early onset neonatal sepsis, necrotising enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dsyplasia and mortality (p>0.05). The pCO₂ values decreased faster in LISA group when compared to INSURE group and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).

LISA procedure under NIPPV seems to provide better pCO₂ levels and does not increased the mortality and morbidity due to technique. Although the results seem to be promising, we need further investigations and larger series.

Keywords: INSURE, LISA, Preterm, Surfactant